Mayor predicts relocating workers will love Ipswich

Kieran joined the QT team last year after stints working in tropical north Queensland and the United Kingdom. Covering the health, transport and general news stories, he is keen to hear what Ipswich issues are important to you.

IPSWICH Mayor Paul Pisasale says public servants "won't know how well they will have it" in Ipswich as the Newman Government struggles to convince workers to relocate.

Last week Housing and Public Works Minister Bruce Flegg revealed very few public servants had volunteered for a move to Icon Ipswich.

Cr Pisasale said pubic servants should approach a move to Ipswich with an open mind.

"They have been given one of the best opportunities to have a family lifestyle," he said.

"Ipswich people have been working in Brisbane all the time. I have never seen anything like it where the workers blame the city and don't want to work there.

"When they come here they will fall in love with the place."

With less than a year until the 15-year contract begins, the Public Service Commission is attempting to relocate entire work units rather than individuals to Icon Ipswich.

According to a Public Service Commission spokeswoman there are around 7940 public service employees working in the Ipswich City Council area. The majority of this figure is made up of education and health staff.

"Work is continuing to identify as many local work units as practical to move into the Icon Ipswich building," the spokeswoman said.

"The Public Service Commission [PSC] is also negotiating with a number of departments to identify suitable Brisbane-based work units that could move from the Brisbane area. These units will only move if local Ipswich work units do not fill the building.

"The Queensland Government regionalisation strategy aims over time to bring better local services to communities and provide more opportunities for people who live and work in their local communities."